This nurse has worked in a ward where a patient was diagnosed positive for COVID-19. Authorities decided that her contact with the patient had not necessitated quarantine. However, the nurse stayed at home on her own decision and personal leave. Later, she found that she had symptoms and conducted a PCR test from the field in her residential area. The nurse has been now admitted to Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa.
Government Nursing Officers' Association Chairman Saman Rathnapriya said that around 60 health workers including 20 nurses are infected by COVID-19 by now while another 300 are under quarantine. These health workers include doctors, nurses and other categories.
Hospital sources indicate a lack of facilities such as transport, resting and quarantining for frontline health workers. Saman Rathnapriya requested the government to provide safety for the health staff. He urged the health authorities to take immediate decisions boldly to control the situation.
He said that the Ministry of Health had not been prepared for a possible outbreak due to lack of vision and leadership.
